Kennedy Meadows from the Sonora and Saint Marys Passes
Kennedy Meadows Sign on Highway 108		Kennedy Meadows Index Location Topo map Google map PCT Advice PCT Advice II How to get there Physical, mailing, and web addresses Why Kennedy Meadows Video Tour Store/Resupply Restaurant Laundry/Showers More on Kennedy Meadows

The Kennedy Meadows Pack Station Location: The Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is located 9.32 miles West of the Sonora Pass, then one mile, to the Left, down a very well-marked road off of Highway 108. If you are coming from the West, Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is about 57 miles East of the town of Sonora. The Sonora Pass is where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Highway 108. The Tahoe to Yosemite trail intersects with Highway 108 about a mile West of the Sonora Pass. See the google map below, and the USGS Topo map in the map section.
	Free-Range horse at Kennedy Meadows, next to Phil's jeep.	One of Matt's horsepackers leading a group back to Kennedy Meadows after a week in the wilderness.

Kennedy Meadows on the Topo Map	Kennedy Meadows Trail Guide	Kennedy Meadows Mileage and Elevations

PCT HIKERS Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is far preferable than Bridgeport for your resupply needs. The reasons are many, and most are depicted on this page. *First, it is far closer to Sonora Pass, and much easier to get to, than Bridgeport. Second, Kennedy Meadows is also set up for you to send yourself a resupply bucket, or box, see below, at a reasonable price. Third, Kenndy Meadows has comprehensive services for backpackers. Kennedy Meadows has a comprehensive store for the backpacker, Clean Showers and Laundry facilities, an Excellent Restaurant, and a real Western Saloon. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station also maintains a hiker can: Give what you can, take what you need. Fourth, Kennedy Meadows will point you to a nearby place to set up your camp, if you want to spend a couple of evenings resting, recharging, and feeding up. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station also rents cabins* and even has a couple of bunkhouse singles, just like the Old West days. Singles in the bunkhouse start at 30 a night, and their smallest cabins go for 80. But don't worry about the cabins too much. Most have been reserved for years in advance by families and groups who have been spending quality time at Kennedy Meadows for generations. You may have a slim chance to rent a cabin during mid-week, but forget it on a weekend during the peak of Summer. If you are really planning your trip out articulately, you may be able to reserve a cabin in advance for the time you plan on resupplying at Kennedy Meadows. If you are in Tuolumne Meadows heading North, and you decide you might want a night in a bed at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, give Joan or Mrs Bloom a call at 209 965 3900 from Tuolumne Meadows or Lake Alpine. They may be able to set you up with a nice little cabin to kick back in. Questions or comments? The Latest from Kennedy Meadows: Free Range Horses & Stray Roundup
The Command Center: The Kennedy Meadows Lobby
	The Lobby is a nice place to have a comfortable seat, hang out, and enjoy some pack station socialization. To the Right is Joan, who along with Mrs Bloom, keeps Kennedy Meadows running smoothly. If you have any questions about Kennedy Meadows, accomodations, or their services, you can call Joan or Mrs Bloom, and you will receive accurate information and excellent service. Both are methodical and determined to get you the best information and services they can possibly provide. If you have any questions, give them a call at 209 965 3900	Joan is an excellent resource, or she will point you in the correct direction!

Backpacking to Kennedy Meadows: The Final Steps
Four backpacking routes to Kennedy Meadows on the Main High Sierra Trails. Two routes from the North--Two routes from the South
Southbound backpackers on the Tahoe to Yosemite and Pacific Crest Trails
*South on the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail* to Saint Marys Pass** When the Southbound hiker reaches Saint Marys Pass, which sits about a mile West of Sonora Pass on Highway 108, you now face a 8.32 mile hitch hike down to the Kennedy Meadows Road. Kennedy Meadows is a mile down the road from Highway 108.	The Southbound hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail Crosses Sonora Pass and passes from the Carson-Iceberg to the Immigrant Wilderness	*South on the Pacific Crest Trail* to Sonora Pass** When the Southbound backpacker reaches Sonora Pass, you now have a 9.32 mile hitch hike West down to the Kennedy Meadows Road. Kennedy Meadows is a mile down the road from Highway 108.

Note Although the Classic Trail Guide book, The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail, calls for the backpacker to hike down Highway 108 to Kennedy Meadows, I really don't recommend walking down Highway 108. Highway 108 is a very narrow road full of hard turns and switchbacks, and there are some damn stupid people driving on it. It is a dangerous road to walk, especially during the tourist season. I strongly suggest hitching a ride down to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, rather than walking down Highway 108.
Southbound into Sonora Pass to Kennedy Meadows
North of Sonora Pass	Sonora Pass	Hitching to KM

Three dogs rushed out of the forest at me. I took command, ordering them harshly to heel or die. They cowered, then wagged their tails in unison, and I said "Good Dogs!" Steve rode up behind, profusely appoligizing for his dogs. No problem. They were as shocked to see me as I them. They were looking for cows, not backpackers. Steve and his dogs were rounding up his stock from their grazing lease between Saint Marys Pass and the rock wall that composes the Western shore of the East Carson River. Steve is a hell of a nice guy. And, his dogs were good, after me and the dogs got over the shock of running into each other in the wilderness. As I was approaching Sonora Pass, I resumed my push for Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, my next rest and resupply spot.	After getting by Steve and his dogs, I made my way to the Sonora Pass, where I posted up to hitch hike down to Kennedy Meadows. I was really looking forward to a chile-cheese burger, and a fine Rest and Resupply Break. I meet the best people hitchiking around the wilderness	After a short wait at the Sonora Pass, Mr. Damien Burford picked me up and drove me all the way out to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. Damien was up in the mountains camping to scout out the upcoming deer Season.

	Hummingbird feeding at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station

Backpacking Northbound to Kennedy Meadows on the Pacific Crest Trail
Two Northbound routes to Kennedy Meadows on the Main High Sierra Trails
Pacific Crest Trail Hitch hiking to Kennedy Meadows from the Sonora Pass If you are Northbound on the PCT, it's easy: Where the PCT crosses Highway 108 at the Sonora Pass, stick your thumb out and hitch-hike 9.32 miles West, down to the Kennedy Meadows road. It's a little less than a mile from Highway 108 to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station and Resort down this road. But you can walk trails to Kennedy Meadows, if you veer off of the PCT route onto the section of the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail between Bond Pass and Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail route passes right through Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. Questions or comments?	Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Walking into Kennedy Meadows from the South If you are Northbound on the Pacific Crest Trail, or following the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail Northbound, (The Yosemite to Tahoe Trail?) you can easily hike into Kennedy Meadows Pack Station. Rather than following the PCT through Dorthy Lake Pass at the head of Jack Main Canyon, you will instead cross Bond Pass at the head of Jack Main Canyon, entering the Emigrant Basin. You will go straight, or veer right, past the Snow Lake and Horse Meadow junctions, then turn left at the third junction you encounter, which turns towards Brown Bear Pass, passing by Grizzly Peak Lake across the Emigrant Meadow. Brown Bear Pass sits on the Northwest corner of the Emigrant Basin. You cross Brown Bear Pass to follow Summit Creek as it rapidly drops down to Relief Reservoir, and shortly on down to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station, and your resupply package, some great food, and a well deserved hot shower. It's about 18 miles from Bond Pass to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station.	Mix and Match to make your own custon route! The Tahoe to Yosemite route varies from the PCT at the head of Jack Main Canyon, where the TY Trail crosses Bond Pass, rather than the PCT route through Dorthy Lake Pass. If a PCT hiker wants to walk into Kennedy Meadows, rather than hitch down from Sonora Pass, you can catch the Tahoe to Yosemite Route to Kennedy Meadows at Bond Pass. Hiking through the Emigrant Basin is an excellent alternative to the PCT, if you are heading down to Kennedy Meadows for resupply or not. If not, and you just want to see the Emigrant Basin, you can cross Big Sam on the North side of the Emigrant basin to reconnect with the PCT on the South side of the Leavitt Masiff. This way you stay on the Sierra Crest as it tracks across the Emigrant Wilderness, rather than going around it, between Dorthy Lake and Kennedy Canyon on the PCT route. Independent of which route you choose, Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is a superior option for setting up a comprehensive resupply than heading East to Bridgeport. Check out this Sonora Pass to Bensen Lake map for more details about your route options heading North into Kennedy Meadows and Sonora Pass. This large map of the terrain between Carson Pass and Bensen Lake is not yet completed, but will give you an idea of your route options around Kennedy Meadows Pack Station and Resort.
Kennedy Canyon: PCT Route	Bond Pass: TY Trail	Brown Bear Pass: TY Trail
Kennedy Canyon and the PCT turn East, down Kennedy Canyon. I head South over Big Sam into the Emigrant Basin, behind me in this picture.	Bond Pass: Sits between Jack Main Canyon and the Emigrant Basin	Brown Bear Pass sits at an amazing interface between Granitic and Volcanic Terrains. The left side of the valley on the other side of the Pass is made up of Granite, the right side is Volcanic. It is an amazing sight.
Dorthy Lake Pass: PCT	Kennedy Meadows	What this all Means
	Late Afternoon Rain, Thunder, and lightening at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station	Check this map of Sonora Pass to Bensen Lake to locate these passes and identify the various routes of the Pacific Crest and Tahoe to Yosemite Trails, as well as other routes and trips that you can craft some fine high altitude, High Sierra Backpacking routes from.


Kennedy Meadows Road juction with Highway 108

Note the smoke clinging to the mountainside from the big fire near Arnold, 2009


Highway 108 with Kennedy Meadows in relationship to the Tahoe to Whitney, the Pacific Crest, and the Tahoe to Yosemite Trails
View Sonora Pass, Saint Marys Pass, Kennedy Meadows Pack Station in a larger map
Actual Location (AND THE UPS RESUPPLY ADDRESS-SEE BELOW) Kennedy Meadows Pack Station 57 miles East of Sonora Sonora, Ca, 95370 Phone: 209 965 3900	Kennedy Meadows Web Site Road Conditions CalTrans, Highway 108 CalTrans, Highway 395 Caltrans	US Postal Service Mailing Address (NOT FOR RESUPPLY-SEE BELOW) Kenndey Meadows Pack Station PO Box 4010 Sonora, California 95370

Kennedy Meadows Pack Station: I love this place!

Kennedy Meadows Pack Station A spot of fine hospitality, resupply, food, and rest near the Sierra Crest: I love this place! Stueve Organic Dairy wagon giving rides and having fun in front of Main Building. Retaurant to the Right of the Lobby, Store to the Left of the lobby. The bar building sits in the distance beyon the back of the wagon.

Kenndy Meadows Pack Station: Cowboy Culture	The Result: The Best Resupply Spot on the Trail	The Reasons
OK, Kennedy Meadows is not your typical Backpacker-centric resupply along the trail, as is Vermillion, Muir, Red's and Tuolumne. Kennedy Meadows is quite different. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is a High Sierra Horse Packer's little bit of Heaven. Kennedy Meadows feels just right to the Horseman, Hunter, Rancher, and Cowboy, as well as any anyone smart enough to have Matt's crew Horse-Pack them into Yosemite's Northern Backcountry Borderlands: The Emigrant Wilderness. As you may have picked up on previous pages, I take two nights off at every resupply point. This is especially nourishing at Kennedy Meadows. As I usually arrive late, after hiking in the first day, I take a second day off, a day completely off the trail, at Kennedy Meadow Pack Station.	The reason I hang at Kennedy Meadows for two nights and one full day off are quite simple: I work a hell of a lot harder on the trail than on any job. A full day off a week is not too much to ask for, and Kennedy Meadows is the best place to rest and recover. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is the ideal rest and resupply spot for me. There are many reasons that Kennedy Meadows is tied for first place as the best resupply point between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney. I would not be wrong if I cited the excellent showers, which are always clean and have endless hot water, with soap and towels. Nor the excellent laundry facilities.	The food is the *best on the trail, and very reasonably priced. Hell, Kennedy Meadows even has a Saloon*. But it is non of those things that make Kennedy Meadows Pack Station so comfortable to me. It is the country character of Kennedy Meadows and the cowboy hospitality of people who work there, combined with the friendlyness of the many good people who have been coming up to the cabins for generations. In the final analysis, It is Matt Bloom and his family, friends, staff and long time visitors that make Kennedy Meadows a special place to visit. If you are coming from out of state, or from out of the country, to walk the Pacific Crest Trail, you are doing yourself a great disservice if you miss the Kennedy Meadows Experience.
All of these cultural and social amenities sit within the reason all of us are there, from me, the traveling solo long-distance backpacker, through every one of the horse packers and vacationers in the cabins, and finally to Matt and his staff: The Special Beauty of the High Sierras across Emigrant Wilderness. Kennedy Meadows is a special place, in a special place.

Kennedy Meadows Pack Station Video Tour Video Tour: From Sonora Pass through Kennedy Meadows Kennedy Meadows represents a slice of mountain culture. Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is a cowboy-country resort, and as such has an endless supply of hospitality for everyone..

Kennedy Meadows: Backpacker Resupply and Store
Your resupply to Kennedy Meadows Pack Station must be sent via the United Parcel Service. The package *must* be addressed as follows: Kennedy Meadows Pack Station 57 miles East of Sonora Highway 108 Sonora, California On the outside of your resupply bucket make sure your name is plainly visible, that it is labeled PCT RESUPPLY, and that your expected date of arrival at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station is noted. Cost: $10, payable upon pickup, a bit more if your package is huge, or it sits there for a long time.		You will pick up and pay for your resupply package at the store. The charge is 10 bucks. The Kennedy Meadow Pack Station store is well stocked with freeze-dried dinners, ramen, soups, coffee, hot chocolate, fuels, as well as socks and stock gloves. In addition to backpacker-friendly foods, they also stock a wide variety of microwave snacks, beer, and hard liquor. Questions or comments?
	Cheryl keeps your resupply at the store

The Kennedy Meadows Store's Backpacker Inventory
Drugs Allergy Pain Stomach Mosquito Juice Fuel Denatured Alcohol, 32 oz Coleman White, 1 Gal Kerosene, Qt.	Food 12 Mountain House individual freeze dried Dinners Individual Cereal Packs PB, Small Instant Coffee Triscut and Cheezit Cookies Ramen Cup o Noodles Hot Choc Corn Nuts Cliff Bars Nut Snacks	Cold Foods/Drinks Wide variety of juices, teas, and sodas Salads Yogarts Burritos Sandwhiches Ice Cream Misc socks gloves Note Pads Pay Phone Wi-fi in Lobby Beer/Booze Wide variety of beer and booze, pints and fifths.

Kennedy Meadows: Backpacker Resources done right
	Kennedy Meadows is a full service pack station and cowboy/rancher/farmer resort. Half of the Valley-and all of Oakdale-seems to come up to Kennedy Meadows to get out of the Valley Heat during the Summer. And Kennedy Meadows is Ready!
Laundry and Showers
Showers To properly support their horse-packing operations, including clients returning from the backcountry, as well as providing fresh linen and towells for their cabins, Kennedy Meadows has top quality showers and laundry facilites. The showers have unlimited HOT water. This works out very well for long-distance backpackers, who will enjoy the best facilites on the trail at Kennedy Meadows, outside of getting a hotel in Mammoth Lakes. Shower units are in a private room with bench, sink, toilet and shower. It is a very nice set-up, and very clean and tidy. Each shower unit has a can of lysol, to disinfect the floor, which is always clean...but Kennedy Meadows pays attention to details. Pay in the lobby for either Shower or Laundry, and you will get a ticket to bring to Miguel. If you are sending yourself a resupply package at Kennedy Meadows Pack Station and Resort, you may want to consider just what little things will make your shower better. A nice little travel bottle of shampoo, a little travel bar of good soap, and maybe a little bottle of moisturizer to sooth your mountain-lashed skin would be very nice.




Laundry The Laundry facilities are in the same building as the showers. This is Miguel, who runs the laundry-showers building. As the cabin units and horse-packer groups have priority over all other laundry, you must check with Miguel to see if and when you can throw your load in. Note the reciept for my load of laundry in Miguel's hand... The cost is 3 bucks a load.
	Miguel	Washers

	Dryers

Kennedy Meadows Restaurant: The Best on the Trail
	The Kennedy Meadows Pack Station Restaurant has the best food and the best service for the best prices on the whole trail between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney.	Jeanie the irrepressable, and irreplaceable, waitress
This is my hiking goal when approaching Sonora Pass
		When I am approaching the Sonora Pass, my mind turns towards Kennedy Meadow's Chile Cheese Burger. Lunch, and the CCB,is served until Four O'Clock, so I always pick up the pace when nearing Sonora Pass, so I can get on the road, and get a ride down to Kennedy Meadows, before lunch ends at Kennedy Meadow's Restaurant. The Chile Cheese Burger is made with generous quanities of quality meat and beans, is accompanied by thick cut fries, and is very satisfying. It costs 9 bucks, and is worth every penny.
Kennedy Meadows Dinners
Kennedy Meadows Dinner Special Board, showing the 18.50 Prime Rib Sunday dinner. Monday through Saturday dinners are 12.50. The menu also includes a wide variety of steak, burgers, and chicken.		Kennedy Meadows Pack Station has the best food, for the best prices, on the whole trail between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney. The Daily Dinner Special is one reason why. The Monday through Saturday Dinner menu includes a five-course dinner for 12.50. These huge meals include Soup, Salad, a Veggie, the Main Course, along with a Potato, and Dessert. A Kennedy Meadows Dinner is one of my favorite tools to recharge and refuel my batteries, and provide a fine break from dried foods. Sunday Evening brings the weekly Prime Rib Dinner. This costs 18.50 for the five-course special, and is well worth the cost. If you are going to be passing through Kennedy Meadows on a Sunday, be sure to talk to Joan in the Office about Reservations. The Sunday Prime Rib Dinner draws diners from as far as The Valley
The Breakfast Crew
Barbie always has something good to say, and always serves excellent food.	Pam is as nice of a person as she is an excellent waittress. Note the plates full of fine food Barb and Pam are toting. These are real backpacker treats!	The best breakfast cook in the mountains: Jeannette. With Jeannette in the kitchen your over easy eggs are always perfect, and your hash browns are always golden brown...
Al's Rating, and Suggestions for long distance backpackers Be it Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner, Kennedy Meadows serves the finest food on the trail between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney. Quality Food, Quality Service, and Prices that reflect Matt Bloom's sense of fairness characterize the Kennedy Meadows Pack Station Restaurant. If you are hiking through Sonora Pass, I highly reccomend that you head down to Kennedy Meadows for an overnighter, even if you did not send yourself a resupply package via Kennedy Meadows. If you get there in time for lunch, you can stuff yourself with a lunch and dinner the first day, camp next to the river, and then have a nice breakfast the next morning, before you head back up to Sonora Pass and continue your long hike. This will recharge your mind and body, without depleating your food Supply.


Classic experiences on the edge of the Trail
Matt Bloom, during a rare moment when you see him in his own Saloon. The reason was Mr. Stueve, who insisted on buying Matt and I a beer, after Mr. Stueve spent a few hours of giving kids, backpackers, and everyone else a ride on his four-Percheron drawn Milk Wagon around Kennedy Meadows.
Casey is tied for best bartender between Lake Tahoe and Mount Whitney. That's the Saloon to the Right. Deborah, at the Lake Alpine Lodge, is also awesome.
Stan the Man, driving around with Alice, in preparation for Marty's Birthday Party.
Marty's Birthday Party.	Marty is one of Matt's Horse Packers. He is a quiet, serious guy. Matt and the rest of the staff threw him a great Birthday Party. BBQ flank steak, pico de gallo, and lots of tequlia.
The Walk'n Wades: You will find Backpackers of every age, type, and description passing through Kennedy Meadows.
Kennedy Meadows Pack Station: Where Trucks are exchanged for Horses, and Pens for Guns.	I wish I took more pictures last September, 2009, when hunters dominated Kennedy Meadows	My apologies to all the people not mentioned or pictured here.
Many of Kennedy Meadow's regulars walk on all four. Oz and Quince are good dogs.
Cowboys Kicking it after work. That's Colin and Chuckwagon. The picture to the Right is Chuckwagon's Chuckwagon...
The Science Team: Alice, Phil, and Maya Alice was doing fieldwork for her PhD in Geology in the Dardanelles during the Summer of 2009.
The Saloon Parties, or the Saloon is Dead, but it's always country on the jutebox.
The Stueve's, Guy and Gage. Guy and Gage own and operate Stueve's Organic Dairy, which is part of the Organic Valley CROPP Cooperative. Check out Organic Valley Dairy brand for really fine milk and dairy products. It's too bad you can't taste the raw milk their dairy produces. It is the finest milk I have ever tasted.